Positive drug test letter from BON

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The board of nursing just sent me a letter that they discovered I had a positive drug screen from my previous employer. This was not for a diversion, this is for illicit drug use. I now have another good nursing job in another state and I did not tell this employer about my positive drug screen. I have been with this employer for 3 months. I was hoping my previous employer would not report this instance to the BON, but I just found out today by means of a letter from my previous state BON. What should I do? What is going to happen. I'm scared that I'm now going to lose out on this great job, lose my license, or even go to jail. I already signed a one year lease for an apartment in my new state and I'm the only bread winner for my family. Will the new state find out?

You have been given VERY sound advice- fear has a way of paralyzingly us and we would give up everything to avoid anxiety and embarrassment. Nurses are doing these steps everyday. Do not let inaction and fear make things worse- you can salvage this.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.

I think it is sad that you felt a need to explain your positive to the posters here on AN.

It was pot and is really only a big deal to the BON and the employer.

Most of us realize that you smoking pot, even on a regular basis, is less likely to adversely affect your performance as a nursing professional than would the same consumption of alcohol.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

It was pot and is really only a big deal to the BON and the employer.

Most of us realize that you smoking pot, even on a regular basis, is less likely to adversely affect your performance as a nursing professional than would the same consumption of alcohol.

The BON, the current employer, future employers, the police, the DEA, patients, patients families, the poster, the posters family, etc.

If the OP came to work drunk it would be the same problem.

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We have an excellent thread already started on the topic of nurses smoking marijuana. It has good discussion on the subject as well as an array of differing opinions. You should check it out! To the OP: how are you doing?

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
The BON, the current employer, future employers, the police, the DEA, patients, patients families, the poster, the posters family, etc.

If the OP came to work drunk it would be the same problem.

Of course, no where in this thread does it intimate that the individual presented to work under the influence of cannabis. You may extrapolate that if you wish.

What we do know is that she could smoke several joints on Monday evening and report to work without any impairment on Tuesday morning while a contemporary who enjoyed a large dose of alcohol at the same time may very well still be inebriated on Tuesday morning but would pass a urine drug screen.

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@ toomuchbaloney: as far as I know- most, or all, states' BON takes a very dim view of a positive drug screen for MJ- end of discussion- regardless of your, or anyone else's- opinion.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
@ toomuchbaloney: as far as I know- most, or all, states' BON takes a very dim view of a positive drug screen for MJ- end of discussion- regardless of your, or anyone else's- opinion.

Yes, indeed they do. That doesn't mean that it makes good scientific sense though. I am not certain why the POV of the BON equates to some rule that people cannot disagree with that stance or discuss it on this forum. Why does it need to be "end of discussion"?

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does not have to be the "end of discussion"- has just been discussed before....

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
does not have to be the "end of discussion"- has just been discussed before....

Please forgive me for being confused then by your comment that it was "end of discussion" after noting that the BONs don't approve of cannabis usage.

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Hey Toomuch! This topic has its way of coming around and being discussed, I have no opposition to that. Maybe you could start a new thread devoted to this topic? As a means of revival? I just don't want the OPs thread to get lost on this topic- it diverts attention from

his/her topic and could hinder someone else from learning from the OPs experience.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
Hey Toomuch! This topic has its way of coming around and being discussed, I have no opposition to that. Maybe you could start a new thread devoted to this topic? As a means of revival? I just don't want the OPs thread to get lost on this topic- it diverts attention from

his/her topic and could hinder someone else from learning from the OPs experience.

Is my interaction with the OP unacceptable in some fashion?

It is pretty clear that the OP feels shame or similar and feels some misplaced need to explain the positive test to this forum...which is unfortunate and I said as much.

Perhaps the concern should fall with the posters who have addressed me and my comments specifically rather than focusing upon the OP?

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@ toomuch: i personally do not find your interaction with the OP unacceptable- I do find it interesting as i look back over this thread, that the OP "explained" the positive test in response to your remark. Our difference of opinion is, actually, imo- just a difference in train of thought- i surely did not intend anything else.

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